Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Subjects

Mathematics

The mathematics department consists of 7 teachers working in a friendly and supportive team. We share resources and ideas, both formally and informally while working in our shared working area. The department has the use of four teaching rooms in the main school building and one room in the Sixth Form Block, as well as the use of other classrooms when required. These teaching rooms are well resourced and we also keep an extensive stock of resources for shared use.

The current Head of Department, Mike Seager, has been in position since September 2003. He is superbly supported by Derek Adams (maths outreach work and house coordinator), Margaret Cousins, Marion Windeatt, Rosemary Jones & Amanda Wood.

The mathematics department was pivotal in achieving the bid for Technology College Status in June 2000 and the revised bid for 2005, and is embracing aspects of the bid into its development plans for the next three years, including developing a range of teaching and learning styles, embedding ICT into the mathematics curriculum and supporting local primary schools. Members of the department have taken to the new teaching opportunities made possible by the new technologies and use is made of the LCD projector, as well as the suites of computers, in some mathematics lessons.

Mathematics is compulsory in Key Stages 3 and 4 and is a very popular option at A level, with approximately 80 students taking courses in Mathematics and Further Mathematics in Years 12 and 13. In addition, in Year 12, we have a number of students taking the Accelerated Mathematics course, so that they obtain their A level during Year 12 only. At KS3 virtually all pupils achieve level 7 or above, and similarly at GCSE, the great majority of pupils achieve at least an A grade. Both the GCSE and A level results show that the department 'adds value' to the already impressive levels at the end of Key Stage 3.

The department has an excellent track record of success and is willing to work hard to make the 'best better'. Relationships between staff and students are of the highest quality and are demonstrated by the time devoted to the students outside of lessons, when they need help. We offer a 'support clinic' opportunity for any student who needs help in Year 12 and Year 13. Usually, the support is offered formally during one lunchtime a week for any student who needs further assistance with their work. In addition, we also prepare students for the national mathematics competitions; the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Mathematics Challenges. We will also be piloting some sixth form enhancement masterclasses this year, to give the students a flavor of the diversity of mathematical topics away from the examination curriculum.